Getting out of the chair...

[Splat]

Finished the Detroit Free Press Half-Marathon on the 29th of October.

I ran like a girl. Still need to work on my endurance. Legs started to feel like I had dipped them in cement at the 9-mile marker.

Ended up averaging a 9 minute mile. Ran 13.1 miles in 1:57:46. Not bad for a first stab. Looking forward to better results next spring. Going to do at least one full marathon next year.

I thought running over the Ambassador Bridge would be fun... it doesn't seem that steep / long when you are driving over it in a vehicle. Holy fuck!

The weather was pretty good, a little cold and the wind probably sent a couple of skinny kenyans flying. Good times!

[Ranger Bill]

Good job, Mike. Finishing is an achievement. To quote Steve... "Hold your head up high..."

[Jim]

Excellent!!!

[Ranger Ron]

Good Job!!!!

[Splat]

I am interested to hear what you've done about your income, as I would have to do something similiar.

Unfortunately, even with the split, I wouldn't be able to join the military again without screwing over my wife and girls and thrashing my credit rating.

I'm not sure that at this point, after looking at all of the options, I'd want to start over again. I'm going to leave that to the young studs and the promising DEPS on this site.

I wish you the best in whatever decision you make. The key is to make a decision and move forward. Get out of the chair... formulate a plan... and follow through. If you hit a road block or are ambushed, have a contingency plan. Keep moving toward your goal.

I'm still running, I feel great and I plan on driving on with a hard on... but as a civilian who supports the men and women in uniform.

[Splat]

So... almost 4 years later. I have since run a full marathon and am currently training for a 50k Ultra trail run on 9/11/10 followed by a 54-mile run, to help raise funds for vets on 10/17/10, with Team Red, White, and Blue.

I did slide back a couple of years ago, but got back at it hard after my wife died. Still driving on.

[Splat]

Don't get on the site much, but wanted to update this post. Running is a huge part of my life now. I'm 41 and still going strong.

I completed the 50k trail run, last year, in 6:20. I've since participated in a 200-mile relay and have run a few more marathons. This years goal is a 50-mile trail run in September. RLTW!

[Flesh Thorn]

Excellent !